For centuries, fishing was the primary livelihood of the inhabitants of the Sipoo archipelago, with agriculture developing alongside it over time. Several aristocratic estates, such as Östersundom, Eriksnäs, and Hitå, emerged in Sipoo through the years. The people of Sipoo conducted trade voyages in their own boats until the 19th century, traveling to destinations like Tallinn, Riga, and Stockholm. On the island of Loparö, chalk quarrying began, which was in high demand for construction projects such as at the Suomenlinna fortress.

By the turn of the 19th to 20th centuries, steamship traffic increased significantly as the popularity of summer houses grew on the scenic islands. In addition to private villas, various associations also built recreational centers there, and boarding houses were established to accommodate holidaymakers.